Current course offerings

Please Note: Course profiles marked as not available may still be in development.

Course description

This foundation course in science introduces students to the broad range of mathematical, analytical, conceptual and computational tools employed by scientists to develop, analyse and interpret models of scientific processes. To emphasize the importance and generality of these tools, a number of key contemporary topics in science will be studied, including climate change, population dynamics, drugs and pharmacokinetics, and epidemics.

The course will demonstrate how and why mathematical models underpin modern science, and students will learn how to develop and analyse such models. The course also introduces computer programming (using the language Python) as a vital tool in modern scientific modelling. Students will be introduced to some fundamental philosophical issues in science, gaining an appreciation of some of the assumptions that underlie science and the supposed scientific method, reinforcing the importance of critical thinking, creativity and quantitative scientific skills.